> Look, I'm no fan of Stalinism. But the standard western liberal
> critique of Stalinism - which in many sloppy versions covers not just
> 1930-50 (appx) but 1917-1986 - needs a lot more nuance.
Defence of Stalinism and of the whole period from 1917 to 1986 also needs a lot more nuance, doesn't it. To take another example, literacy is compatible with very significant prejudice and superstition e.g. belief in the possibility of Rapture.
Ted